SOS! Suddenly have a high-end turntable, need to upgrade Amp + Speakers

[Killingbeans]

If bookshelf speakers are a must, then the Wharfedale Linton would be a good place to start.

Or Elac Debut Reference DBR-62, if he wants something even smaller.

 

[MattHooper]

It's the tangibility of the medium I suppose that keeps me in collecting CDs and LPs, so I am aware of the downfall of analog mediums but I still go back to them regardless in both audio and photography.

Hear, hear!

Congratulations on lucking into a wonderful turntable. That’s exciting! (I also found a great deal on the type of turntable I could never otherwise afford and have been giddy about it ever since)

(And lol at some immediately suggesting you sell the turntable! Classic ASR….)

 

[bachatero]

Why make it so complicated? Active speakers and a subwoofer will give you more even bass response and reduce distortion and potentially be cheaper than a pair of passives and an amp. For example, the Kali LP-6v2 + WS6.2 is cheap ($900), easy, and really good sounding due to DSP. There's also the Yamaha equivalent for around the same price or Neumann if you've got more money. Done! Go enjoy the music. Is there a specific reason you want a passive setup?

 

[DVDdoug]

I don't want to make a big deal out of this... Like I said, if you want to play records you got a very good deal and you can keep it. That's your personal choice!

BUT since money IS a consideration... If somebody gave ME your setup, I'd sell the whole thing. Then if I wanted a turntable I'd probably buy the AT LP120XBT-USB ($400 here in the U.S.). It comes ready-to-play with a cartridge and built-in preamp. It's direct drive so there are no belts to wear out (I never had any trouble with my 40 year-old Technics direct drive). It's also got USB for digitizing records. (Plus Bluetooth, which personally I don't care about.)

And again, you can add the "profit" to your speaker budget.

If you had a few-thousand dollars to spend on speakers, I wouldn't have suggested selling the turntable.




...Personally, the only reason I still have a turntable is for occasionally digitizing a record. It's not normally connected to my stereo/home theater system and I haven't "played a record" in decades. (I gave-away my records after digitizing the ones I couldn't find digitally.)

 

[rainizzm]

At 3-5m, I would strongly suggest floorstanders.

If bookshelf speakers are a must, then the Wharfedale Linton would be a good place to start.

Speaking of Whaferdale's, I've seen some great things said about the Evo line over on Reddit, some people even saying they're better than the Lintons. Would you say the 4.1s or 4.2s may be a good match? Especially since bass wouldn't be much of a problem once I add a subwoofer later on.

 

[Verig]

Luxman + Hana, oh my, I'd live with that. Hana is my next cart but sadly the Luxman must wait.

@rainizzm Evos are great, smooth and coherent. But they are very different from Lintons, absolutely different experience. Lintons can never have the smooth quality and Evos don't have the raw old school power. I listened both in my living room and for metal and sheer fun Linton wins. But if your taste in music is not so lo-fi fun oriented I wouldn't be surprised you preferred Evos by far.

 

[frodaddi]

Personally, if that table fell into my lap I’d have to be keeping an eye out for a used Luxman integrated to match

 

[rainizzm]

Luxman + Hana, oh my, I'd live with that. Hana is my next cart but sadly the Luxman must wait.

@rainizzm Evos are great, smooth and coherent. But they are very different from Lintons, absolutely different experience. Lintons can never have the smooth quality and Evos don't have the raw old school power. I listened both in my living room and for metal and sheer fun Linton wins. But if your taste in music is not so lo-fi fun oriented I wouldn't be surprised you preferred Evos by far.

Hmmmmm, you just pulled me toward the direction of the lintons even more.....My musical preferences are Progressive Metal, Shoegaze, Jazz, and Classical Arabic (Fairouz mostly). In all genres I love being able to discern the different levels existing within the piece I’m listening to so I would say I prefer clarity, detail, and coherence in speakers. I like hearing something different in my second play through and finding some new note I never noticed on the thousandth play through. I decided that I’ll put off scratching the subwoofer itch until winter....I know my budget is clearly tight compared to what I like to hear but which one of the two would you say gets closer to what I want? I'm hesitant over the lintons because of space constriction + design coherence since they don't go well with the rest of the room compared to the black Evos.

 

[rainizzm]

Personally, if that table fell into my lap I’d have to be keeping an eye out for a used Luxman integrated to match

Oh trust me I'm trying SO. HARD. to not shell out a kidney or part of my liver for the Luxman integrated amps they're just so goddamn beautiful </3

 

[rainizzm]

Hear, hear!

Congratulations on lucking into a wonderful turntable. That’s exciting! (I also found a great deal on the type of turntable I could never otherwise afford and have been giddy about it ever since)

(And lol at some immediately suggesting you sell the turntable! Classic ASR….)

I would sell all my personal belongings and keep the turntable...sorry to disappoint ASR /s

 

[DVDdoug]

I would sell all my personal belongings and keep the turntable...

Then, you'd have no records, no amplifier, no speakers!

sorry to disappoint ASR

Nobody is disappointed. We're just trying to help you get the most with your money. Whatever makes you happy!!! Even if you just wanted to display it like a work of art and never actually use it, I have no problem with that!

I don't play records and sometimes I warn people about their sound-quality limitations (usually young people that don't already have records and a turntable). But I don't tell anybody to stop playing records.... I don't tell anybody what to do but sometimes I'll give advice or make a suggestion. I don't take it personally if someone doesn't follow my advice.

YOUR music and your stereo setup is for YOUR enjoyment!

 

[akamatsu]

For an integrated amp within your budget, I recommend the Rega Io or Bias. Pair that with some Wharfedale, PSB speakers on proper stands.